Advanced skywatching Book

This companion volume to the Nature Company's basic skywatching guide goes into more detail about various topics related to astronomy. Though there's nothing wrong with the first volume, most adult readers (particularly those who've had a science class or two) will find this work a lot more informative and interesting. The book provides good coverage of issues ranging from telescope selection to the ins and outs of planets, stars, comets and other observable objects. I have only two minor objections: first, several of the entries left me wanting additional information. But I suppose that's the role of an introductory volume, and the book does include an extensive index of additional sources of information. Though I enjoyed the copious photos and pictures, I thought it was at least a little deceptive to illustrate a guide for amateurs using images that can only be created using sophisticated, expensive equipment beyond the means of most if not all beginners. Pictures shot through average amateur scopes might have been less dramatic but more honest depictions of the world of astronomy as a hobby. Other than that, however, I'd recommend this book to anyone with a general curiosity about the subject.